The PS5 has a built-in web browser you can launch from the home screen

Your PS5 comes with a web browser already installed. You do not need to read anything. To open it, go to your PS5 home screen, scroll down to the function area (the row below your games), and select the globe icon labeled "Web Browser". The browser will open in full screen and works like any browser on a computer or phone — you can type web addresses, search, and click links.

The browser is useful for looking up game guides, checking your email, or watching video sites while you play. It runs on the same internet connection as your PS5, so you need to be connected to Wi-Fi or ethernet for it to work. The browser does not have access to your game library or your PS5 settings — it is a separate tool that sits on top of your console.

Key Takeaways

  • The Web Browser icon is in the function area of your PS5 home screen, below your games and apps.
  • You control the browser with your controller: use the stick to move the cursor, X to click, and the touchpad to scroll.
  • The browser supports most websites, but some sites with heavy video or interactive content may load slowly or not work at all.
  • You can bookmark pages by pressing the options button, and your bookmarks stay saved between sessions.
  • The browser does not support extensions, plugins, or downloads — you cannot save files to your PS5 this way.

How to navigate the browser with your controller

The PS5 controller is your mouse and keyboard in the browser. Move the right stick to move the on-screen cursor, press X to click a link or button, and use the touchpad (the flat rectangle on the front of the controller) to scroll up and down a page. If you need to type a web address or search term, a keyboard will appear on screen — use the stick to highlight letters and X to select them, or connect a USB keyboard to your PS5 for faster typing.

The options button (three horizontal lines) opens a menu with bookmarks, history, and browser settings. The back button (curved arrow on the left side) takes you to the previous page. If a page is loading slowly, you can press the circle button to stop it. These controls take a few minutes to get used to, but most people find them natural after opening the browser a couple of times.

Which websites work well on the PS5 browser

straightforward websites load quickly and work smoothly — text-based pages, news sites, and search engines like Google all function normally. Video sites like YouTube work, though playback may be slower than on a phone or computer, and you may need to wait for buffering. Social media sites like Twitter and Reddit work, though the layout is designed for phones and computers, so some features may look cramped or behave oddly.

Sites that rely on Flash, Java, or browser extensions do not work on the PS5 — these are older technologies that the browser does not support. Some modern sites with heavy animations or interactive tools may also load slowly or freeze. If a site does not work, try a simpler version of it (many sites have a "mobile" or "lite" version) or use a different device. The browser is useful for quick lookups, not for doing serious work.

Saving and managing your bookmarks

When you find a page you want to return to, press the options button and select "Add Bookmark". The page title will appear in your bookmarks list, and you can access it anytime by pressing options and selecting "Bookmarks". Your bookmarks stay on your PS5 even after you turn it off, so you can build a list of sites you use regularly.

You cannot organize bookmarks into folders or edit their names from the PS5 browser itself — they appear in a straightforward list in the order you saved them. If you want to clean up your bookmarks, you can delete individual ones by highlighting them and pressing X, then confirming the deletion. There is no limit to how many bookmarks you can save, but a very long list will take longer to scroll through.

Privacy and security when using the PS5 browser

The PS5 browser stores your browsing history and cookies just like any other browser. Cookies are small files that websites use to remember you — they let you stay logged into email or social media without typing your password every time. If you share your PS5 with other people, they can see your history and may be able to access sites where you are already logged in.

To clear your history and cookies, press options, go to "Settings", and select "Clear Browsing Data". This will erase your history, cookies, and cached files (temporary copies of pages you visited). You can do this before handing the controller to someone else, or regularly if you want to keep your browsing private. The browser does not have a private or incognito mode like some computer browsers do, so clearing data is your only privacy option.

The PS5 browser does not have built-in protection against malware or phishing (fake websites designed to steal your password). Use the same caution you would on any device — do not click suspicious links, do not enter your password on sites that look fake, and do not read files from untrusted sources. If a site asks you to read something, the browser will not allow it anyway.

Troubleshooting common browser problems

If the browser will not open, restart your PS5 completely — hold the power button for ten seconds until the console shuts down, then turn it back on. If a page will not load, check that your PS5 is connected to the internet by going to Settings, Network, and View Connection Status. If the connection is fine but the page still will not load, try refreshing the page by pressing the refresh button (circular arrow) or typing the web address again.

If the browser is running slowly, close it and restart it — the browser uses memory just like games do, and restarting clears that memory. If you have been browsing for a long time, a restart often helps. If a specific website is slow, it may be a problem with that website, not your PS5 — try a different site to see if the browser works normally. If the controller cursor is not responding, try disconnecting the controller (hold the PS button and select "Disconnect Controller") and reconnecting it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Netflix or other streaming apps in the browser?

Netflix, Disney+, and most streaming services have dedicated apps on the PS5 that work better than the browser. You can watch them in the browser if you want, but the dedicated apps are faster and have better picture quality. Check your PS5 app library to see which streaming services you have installed.

Does the PS5 browser support online gaming or multiplayer websites?

The browser can open websites that host games, but it does not support Flash or Java, which many older online games use. Modern web-based games that use HTML5 may work, but performance will be slower than on a computer. The PS5 is designed for console games, not browser games.

Can I use the browser while playing a game?

No. The PS5 does not allow you to run the browser and a game at the same time. You can pause a game, close it, open the browser, and then resume the game later, but you cannot have both open simultaneously.

What happens if I visit a website that asks for my PlayStation password?

Do not enter your PlayStation password into any website you find through the browser. Sony will never ask for your password through a website link. If a site asks for it, close the browser and report the site to Sony through your account settings. Only enter your password on the official PlayStation website or in the PS5 settings menu.

Can I read files or save images from the browser?

No. The PS5 browser does not support downloads or file saving. You can view images and documents on websites, but you cannot save them to your PS5. If you need to read something, use a computer or phone instead.